Occupation:
Photographer / Teacher / Copywriter
Time in Japan:
12 years
Where are you from?
Originally from the east coast of the United States. I grew up in Washington DC, but the
last nine years before coming to Japan, I lived in Seattle.
What brought you to Japan?
I came as a teacher of art and photography at Yokosuka naval base. I did that for four
years, then moved off-base to Zushi. My landlady happened to be friends with the managing
director of Canon; he came over one night and I introduced myself because I wanted to work
for a Japanese company. I said I wanted to work for Canon, he laughed, but I sent him some
of my work, got an interview and started working for them the following week. I worked for
four years in their international advertising division as art
director/photographer/copywriter. It was a great experience. Then I jumped ship and
started working for Nikon through an independent advertising agency.
What do you do now?
I work full-time for a small advertising agency - one of their clients being Nikon - and
as a freelance photographer. Plus I just opened my own photography school in March.
When did you first get into photography?
When I was fourteen. My father gave me his Leica camera because he wasn' using it anymore
and told me to take pictures. When I first got the results it was like magic like having
a Christmas present in July because you never know what's going to turn up on your film.
How is your photography school faring?
Pretty good. We're on summer vacation right now but we'll start again in September. I had
fourteen students before summer and four of my advanced students' work is on exhibit at
Las Chicas till August 31. I'm going to try and have an exhibition every year because
having one is really good for my students; it gives them a goal to work towards.
What kind of advice can you give others about getting a job like yours?
I think Japan is a very exciting place to live because as a foreigner, you are still put
up on a pedestal and if you want something, you should ask for it. The Japanese are
hesitant about asking for what they want. I've always been aggressive in asking for
something that I feel is necessary. And I've been lucky.
What is the most interesting thing you've photographed in Japan?
The most exciting and unusual thing I photographed was the Fertility Festival in Komaki
City, near Nagoya. It's held on March 15 every year and the festival has a male part and a
female part. There are two different shrines in two different sections of the city; the
male part of the festival is held in the morning and the female part in the afternoon. For
the male festivities, they parade these giant phallus symbols along the streets and the
female procession has models of labia! There's even a forest behind the shrines with pubic
hair moss! The festivals are over 1400 years old and are quite spectacular.
You're also in charge of organizing Friends of Seattle. What's that about?
Friends of Seattle started two years ago and we meet once a month for some kind of outdoor
event. The next one is on September 4. We're going to the botanical park near Chofu for a
BBQ. Each person pays for transportation and food, so there's no profit for the club. It
helps people get together and have a good time.
Are you sure you want me to ask you this?
Okay, who would you confine for life on the Chuo line? Myself, so I can focus on peoples'
expressions and postures, and take shots. It'll be great. Never a dull moment.
Occupation:
LIFE IN JAPAN: